16:00, 11 February 2009

Putin sets up Russian embassies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed an order to establish in 2009 Russian embassies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The order defined the order of funding the new diplomatic missions, as the press service of Russian government reports.

"The expenses on opening and maintaining the Russian embassies in the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia shall be covered, starting from 2009, from funds allocated in the federal budget for the respective year in subsection 'International Relations and International Cooperation' of the section 'General State Issues' of the classification of expenses to maintain and ensure operation of the foreign machinery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes Mr Putin's order.

The "Komsomolskaya Pravda" writes that the order instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia to define and approve the staff of the embassies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia within the established limits of workers of foreign entities.

Russia has officially established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on September 9, 2008.